Wardâ€™s assist came on the power play. I watched the third period of this game on Teles, and Ward played significant minutes, including PP, PK, and was on the ice at the end of the game with the goalie pulled. He also had a good rush and two solid hits in the third. Several Q games appear to be available to view for free via www.lhjmq.qc.ca.

The Canadian Hockey League today announced the pre-season CHL Mosaik MasterCard Top 10 Rankings for the 2007-08 season. The weekly rankings of the Canadian Hockey Leagueâ€™s Top 10 are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts. Dane Crowley's Everett Silvertips are No.4. The London Knights are No.1.

Game Notes: Justin Courtnall, son of former NHL player Geoff Courtnall and nephew of former NHLer Russ Courtnall, scored his first goal of the year mid-way through the third period to lift the Victoria Grizzlies to a 3-3 tie with Powell River ... The BCHL uses ties and overtime losses in the standings ... Courtnall was whistled for interference late in the third period, but the Grizzlies were able to kill off the penalty ... Courtnall scored just five goals in 53 games last season with Burnaby (BCHL). He has one goal in two games so far this season for the 0-1-1-0 Grizzlies.

Game Notes: The MAINEiacs dropped their first game of the year, blowing a 3-1 second period lead to the Titan. A-B scored three times in just under two minutes in the second period to make that two goal deficit into a one goal lead. The Titan added an empty netter with nine seconds left ... Ward has not registered a point in two games this year and is looking for his first QMJHL goal.

Game Notes: League champion Lewiston opened their defense of the President's Cup with a sound win over St. John. The MAINEiacs scored four unanswered goals, including three in the third period. Ward and Lewiston's power play went 1/8. Ward had no goals and seven assists in 58 games with limited ice time last season in Lewiston.

The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) began their games this past weekend. Seventh round pick (2007) Justin Courtnall was scoreless for the Victoria Grizzlies, who fell to the visiting Nanaimo Clippers 3-1. The Grizzlies play their second game on Saturday. Courtnall had 5 goals and 9 assists in 53 games for Burnaby (BCHL) last year.

Lightning 2006 first rounder Riku Helenius made his much-anticipated North American debut Friday night for the Seattle Thunderbirds, albeit in a preseason game. Helenius played the first half of Seattle's 5-4 win over Chilliwack, stopping 17 of 18 shots. According to the Seattle papers, the Thunderbirds view Helenius' addition as a substantial piece to their league title chances.

Everett also began their preseason Friday night, but it is unclear as of yet if Dane Crowley played. The official WHL site does not provide stats for preseason games and a game report from the Silvertips did not mention Crowley in the game.

In the QMJHL, defensemen Michael Ward had an assist, four PIM, and a minus-1 rating for Lewiston in a 8-4 preseason loss to St. John.

North American hockey officially got underway this weekend with the QMJHL dropping the puck on preseason action this Saturday. Lightning prospect defenseman Michael Ward was named the game's second star in a 5-4 loss to Acadie-Bathurst after posting a goal and an assist on the power play. Ward was selected by the Lightning in the 7th round of this summer's NHL Entry Draft.